My notes on the GDC 2023 Talk Indie Starter Kit: The Basics of Founding a Successful Games Company by Dino Patti

Vision

• Cultivate it
  • Get feedback
• Learn how to communicate it
• GRAND vision
• Continuously use the vision
  • When something is not possible, go back to the vision: what was the original intent between it
  • Prioritize with it
  • When hiring / partnering
• Money is never part of the vision

Exercice

• Vividly imagining the vision
• Try explaining it to others
• Is it worth fighting for
• Are you working on the right vision?

The only problem with common sense is that it's so... common.

• Frank Underwood - House of Cards
  #quotes

Risk

Risk is always experienced from the inside, it's in every decision you takes between your starting point and going toward your vision
25-35: Best moment to take big risks
35+: Calculated risks

Valuation

• Money / Time
• Team history
• IP Rights
• External validation
• Soft elements
  • Culture
  • Reputation

Make as much Value as possible before letting external money in

Team

• Critical to build something bigger than you
• Always hire people that are better than you
• Self-motivated people
• Team skills define what you can make
• Culture is one of the key things

You

• Always start inexperienced
• You need to lean a lot
• Navigate stress and pressure
• Be critical / be able to take critics
• No one cares about your goals -> if you are good at sharing the vision you can make people care about the vision
• You need to level up!

Pitfalls

• Avoid trends and the idea of quick win
  • Have a vision that can stand the test of time
• Don't sacrifice culture for talent
• Loss of focus

Conclusion

• No one will remember your small vision
• First game/project will be your hardest birth
  • Cut scope not quality
• Find like-minded people and share ideas
  • Mentors, peers, other company owners
• Be kind, generous, friendly
• Never stop learning

ENJOY THE PROCESS!
-> Focus on the Process